Chances are we’ve all been there - the fuel warning light illuminates on the dashboard but we know we’ve still got a few more miles before we really need to fill up - but how far can we get?

If you know your car well enough you usually know if you can make it to either your destination or the nearest fuel station but some drivers remain oblivious and all to often come to a grinding halt in the worst place possible - on the motorway.

Some drivers never let their gauge drop below the half-way point, but if you are trying to avoid pricey motorway petrol stations then you might continue even after the warning light comes on.

But when this light does come on, exactly how much fuel have you got left - and, more importantly, is it enough to get you to the nearest petrol station?

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There are a number of variables in this scenario such as the type of car, the size of the fuel tank, the road you’re driving on and the speed you travel.

A common belief is that on average a car can go for roughly another 40 to 50 miles after the warning light goes on, according to The Mirror.

The range on the fuel gauge is usually based on the average miles already driven - so what the gauge shows may not be accurate for your current driving conditions.

Are you covered for a breakdown? (Image: Getty)

Is it illegal?

If you do run out of fuel on a motorway or dual carriageway, it’s a good idea to try to move your car out of traffic and onto the hard shoulder. Because if you don’t get out of the way, police do have the ability to give you a ticket for causing an obstruction.

Insurance company LV have published a list of the 10 most popular cars for fuel savings, and revealed on average how much further you would be able to go in each one after the warning light comes.

It said that in a Vauxhall Astra you would only be able to go another 26 miles before running out of juice and just 29 miles in a Vauxhall Corsa. In a Ford Fiesta, you would get another 37 miles and in a Ford Focus 40 miles.

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A VW Golf would go for another 42 miles and a VW Polo 39 miles. People driving an Audi A3 could travel for 42 extra miles, a Nissan Qashqai 43 miles and a MINI Cooper 45 miles.

The best performer out of the 10 was the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, offering an extra 46 miles grace.

However conking out in the middle of a busy motorway is extremely dangerous. You put yourself and other road users at risk so, it’s best to keep an eye on that fuel gauge at all times and plan your journey a little better.

Why do so many motorists still keep running out of fuel?

LV also said that many motorists overestimate how much fuel they have left in their tank. The situation is worse particularly on motorways perhaps because of the higher price of petrol at motorway service stations - with people preferring to keep going rather than pay the higher prices.

However, the insurer said that those who choose to do this could end up paying an even higher price for running out of fuel.

Firstly, if you escape the police fine, (should your stricken vehicle cause an obstruction) you might then find you are not covered for breakdowns - so you will then be ht with the cost of having your vehicle recovered.

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Does it cause damage to your vehicle?

Yes, you can also damage the car if you allow your fuel levels to get too low too often. As the level gets lower the car will start picking up debris from the bottom of the tank. This can damage both the fuel filter and pump. The catalytic converter can also be damaged.

And running completely out of petrol can cause the fuel pump in your car to run dry - resulting in a visit to the garage and a bill of hundreds of pounds.

However, this is only for petrol cars. Diesel cars are fitted with an engine management system, which shuts down the car before you run out of fuel, thus preventing any damage.

Running out of fuel is dangerous and could damage your vehicle (Image: Getty)

Fuel-preserving tips from The AA

When driving

* Smooth and gentle – drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid braking unnecessarily. Decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.

* Keep rolling – stopping then starting again uses more fuel than rolling. Slow early for traffic lights or approaching a queue and you might not have to stop completely.

* Change up earlier – don't labour the engine but try changing up at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm (diesel) or 2,500 (petrol). Since 2014 new car models have been fitted with a gear shift indicator to encourage use of the most efficient gear.

* Use your air-con wisely – at low speeds, air-con increases fuel consumption but at higher speeds the effect is less noticeable. Try opening the windows around town and save the air-con for high speed driving. Don't leave it on all the time but running it at least once a week helps keep the system in good condition.

* Cut down on the electrics – turn off your rear window heater, demister fan and headlights when you don't need them

* Stick to the limit – going faster uses more fuel. Drive at 70mph and you’ll use up to 9 per cent more than at 60mph and up to 15 per cent more than at 50mph. Taking it up to 80mph can use up to 25 per cent more fuel than at 70mph.

Is it best to idle or switch off?

Unless your car has an automatic stop/start system, don’t switch off to save fuel unless your engine's warm, you expect not to move for 3 minutes or so (at a level crossing for example) and you know you’ve got a good battery.